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History
Geography played a part in Bahamian history. In 1492,
Christopher Columbus made his first landfall in the New World on the
island of San Salvador in the eastern Bahamas. After observing the shallow
sea around the islands, he said "baja mar" (low water or sea),
and effectively named the area The Bahamas, or The Islands of the Shallow
Sea.
Since it was located close to Florida and well-travelled shipping channels,
the Islands of the Bahamas caught the attention of explorers, settlers,
invaders and traders. These people shaped the colourful history of The
Bahamas and made the country what it is today.
The Lucayan Era / Christopher Columbus
Recent archaeological digs indicate people lived in the
Islands of the Bahamas as early as 300 to 400 AD. These people probably
came from Cuba and relied on the ocean for their food. In the 10th century,
Lucayan Indians - a subgroup of the Arawaks - settled in the Islands
of the Bahamas. The Lucayans had left the Lesser Antilles to avoid their
enemies, the Carib Indians, who were known to be fierce warriors and
cannibals. A peaceful group, the Lucayans were farmers who lived in
thatch huts, used stone tools and made their own pottery. They were
politically, socially and religiously advanced. When Christopher Columbus
arrived in 1492 on San Salvador (some historians think he landed on
Cat Island), there were about 40,000 Lucayans living in the Islands
of the Bahamas. Taking advantage of the people's gentle nature, he enslaved
them three years later and shipped them off to Hispaniola to work in
his mines. Slavery, disease and other hardships wiped out the entire
tribe within 25 years of Columbus' arrival.
The First Settlement
In 1648, a group of dissident English Puritans (known
as the "Eleutheran Adventurers") arrived here in their quest
for religious freedom. Although the adventurers gave the island its
name, the island didn't give much back, and the settlers experienced
food shortages, a lack of proper supplies and internal strife that split
the group into separate communities along Governor's Harbour and Preacher's
Cave in Eleuthera. Seeking peace, the Eleutheran's leader, Captain William
Sayles, set sail for the American colonies and succeeded in obtaining
survival supplies from the Massachusetts Bay Colony and then returned
to the struggling outpost. To better guard against marauding Spanish
troops in the area, another settlement was then established on the nearby
- and more easily defended - Harbour Island.
The Age of Piracy
Piracy was at its height from the late 1600s to the early
1700s. the Islands of the Bahamas was a popular "stopping off"
point for many of the world's most infamous pirates. Explore this section
for details
The Loyalists - Settlement After 1776
More than a century later, another major influx of newcomers arrived
in Eleuthera when American colonists still loyal to the British flag
left the newly independent nation, many bringing with them the slaves
they held in America. These Loyalists also brought their Colonial building
skills, as well as their agricultural and shipbuilding expertise, all
of which became major influences in Eleutheran life. To solidify their
independence, in 1783, the former Loyalists, assisted by the South Carolina
militia, took up arms and forced the retreat of Spanish forces from
the entire region - even as far away as Nassau and Bermuda - without
a shot being fired.
Cival War and Prohibition
From 1861 until 1865, the boom and bust economy of the
Islands of the Bahamas benefited greatly from the U.S. Civil War. Great
Britain's textile industry depended on Southern cotton, so it favoured
the Confederacy. However, British ships could not reach Southern ports
because the Union blockaded them. Thus, blockade runners in sleek, fast
boats would travel the 560 miles from Charleston to Nassau with loads
of cotton. Here, they would meet up with British vessels and would trade
their cotton for goods the British carried. Returning to Charleston,
the blockade runners would sell their shipments for huge profits. The
end of the Civil War meant the end of prosperity for the Islands of
the Bahamas until 1919. When the United States passed the 14th Amendment
prohibiting alcohol, smuggling returned to the islands. Scotch whisky
was an important British export for the Islands of the Bahamas, so the
colonial government greatly expanded Prince George Wharf in Nassau to
accommodate the huge flow of alcohol. However, Prohibition ended in
1934 and with it the enormous revenues that poured into the country.
The end of Prohibition, combined with the collapse of the profitable
sponge harvesting industry a few years later, was economically devastating
to the Islands of the Bahamas.
Tourism and Independence
The tourism industry began in the mid-19th century with
government support for the construction of hotels and subsidised steamship
service. Tourism once again blossomed in the 1920s when Prohibition
brought well-to-do American tourists to the islands. The influx of visitors
increased the demand for food, lodging and other items. Consequently,
the banking industry boomed as the Islands of the Bahamas built new
hotels, warehouses, bars, distilleries and wharves. After the repeal
of Prohibition, the Islands of the Bahamas went into an economic slump
that lasted until the 1940s and World War II, when it served as an air
and sea way-station in the Atlantic. Construction of the base brought
jobs to many people. Then in 1961, when Cuba (with its glitzy casinos
and beach resorts) was closed to American tourists, the Islands of the
Bahamas' good fortune began. Capitalizing on its close proximity to
the United States, the government of the Islands of the Bahamas set
out to increase the number of people who visited it each year. It dredged
Nassau's harbour so it could accommodate up to six cruise ships at a
time and it built a bridge connecting Nassau to Paradise Island. In
1964, Great Britain granted the Islands of the Bahamas limited self-government,
and in 1969 the colony of The Bahamas became a Commonwealth. It then
legally became a nation on July 10, 1973, which is celebrated today
as Bahamian Independence Day.
Activities
DOLPHIN ENCOUNTERS
Nothing can prepare you for the thrill of an exalted encounter with
dolphins on their own terms and on their own turf. Several operators
offer swim-with-wild-dolphins trips that are guaranteed to leave you
filled with boundless joy.
ABACO NATIONAL PARK
Few spots are as dramatic and serene as the lonesome headland at Hole-in-the-Wall,
highlight of this forested park-a last refuge for the Bahama parrot.
The hiking is splendid. It's a true escapists' dream for those who don't
mind rustic accommodations.
ABACOS' LOYALIST VILLAGES
the fistful of bicentenary Loyalist villages on Elbow, Man O' War, and
Green Turtle cays exude irresistable charm. Splendidly preserved, gaily
decorated clapboard houses have been pickled in aspic, and the Loyalists'
descendants have managed to retain some of their old ways, adding a
living-museum quality.
INAGUA NATIONAL PARK
If the rewards of standing in the midst of the Western Hemisphere's
largest flock of flamingos weren't enough for bird watchers, Great Inagua's
saline ponds also attract countless other water birds.
JOURNEYING BY MAIL BOAT
You may choose only to do it once, or it may become the only way you
travel between the islands. but a journey by mail boat i one to remember
forever. Far from cushy, this is down-to-earth travel guaranteed to
show you a side of life far from the tourist mainstream, and it's sure
to bond you to the Bahamian people.
FAMILY ISLAND REGATTA
Put yourself in a party mood and fly down to Great Exuma for the best
time time in the islands. This traditional sailing regatta pits local
skippers against each other, while onshore the crowds whoop it up in
a four-day party.
HARBOUR ISLAND
This is the "in" spot of the moment. Besides the charming
historic village of Dunsmore Town, "Briland' boasts a stunning
pink-sand beach, great nightspots, and a choice range of accommodations,
including Pink Sands, a most favorite spot to lay your head in the entire
Bahamian chain.
SPORT FISHING
Fisher-folk claim that wrestling a big one from the 'great blue river'
is a tip-top thrill. If you can stomach it, your fishing options are
legion. Or for smaller yet no less challenging fry, try your hand at
bone fishing; adherents swear that even great sex can't compare, but
we think they need to go out more often!
SWIMMING WITH SHARKS
Wowie!! You can go swimming with sharks while they feed at several locales.
At Stella Maris and at Walker's Cay, you can witness a feeding frenzy
just a few feet away. At Freeport and Nassau, the sharks are hand-fed
by a diver clad in chain mail. It is definitely not for the timid!
COMPASS POINT
Pay one visit to this brazenly colorful, unpretentious gem, west of
Nassau, a sibling to Pink Sands in Harbor Island, and you will understand
why many end their vacation to the Bahamas at this spot.
CUBA EXCURSIONS
If you like The Bahamas, you'll LOVE Cuba, a one-hour flight away from
Nassau. Several tour companies offer single to multi-day excursions
to this fascinating and friendly island of sensual charms. Be prepared
to be pleasantly surprised!
Jobs in the Bahamas
Generally non-citizens may not work within The
Bahamas. There are exceptions for those having skills not available
from a Bahamian. The employer must show proof of exhaustive searching
for a suitable Bahamian prior to applying for a work permit for the
foreign candidate. Now there are many instances wherein the requirements
are prerequisites determined by the employer based upon the candidate
they have in mind already. To say it simply if someone wants you to
work down here they will write the classified help wanted ad to demonstrate
that only YOU could possibly fill the position. Many Bahamians having
received higher education from Universities in foreign nations seek
higher paid positions in other countries rather than their own.
However any ordinary position not requiring specialized
skills will not readily qualify as an employment opportunity for a foreigner.
For instance should a foreign national apply for a position as a maid
they most certainly would be denied the application. There are no specialized
skills, experience or higher education required to perform the associated
duties and therefore many suitable candidates of Bahamian origin can
be obtained from local advertising of the offered position.
The lack of four (4) year colleges (and beyond)
within The Commonwealth of The Bahamas renders many citizens unable
to obtain the furtherance in education necessary to fill positions mandating
Bachelors and Masters degrees. The citizens who can afford to go abroad
to further their education or those that receive scholarships are the
minority of the overall population.
There are also privileged areas of employment wherein
only nationals may fill the positions with few, if any, exceptions.
The normal exceptions will be those that allow for educating Bahamians
to the job skills associated with the position. Once a qualified replacement
has been trained they should then take on the duty of further educating
the population needed to surmount the demand in the job market.
Another particular that has changed over the past
recent years is that it is now the responsibility of the employer to
sponsor the work permit of the non-Bahamian applicant. Moreover the
applicant may not be on Bahamian soil at time of submission of application
for employment. In years past a foreigner might make application on
his own for a work permit in a specific field and then seek a position.
No longer is this allowed. The employer must first demonstrate that
it has failed to yield a local Bahamian applicant despite all reasonable
efforts. Therefore foreigners may not make a general application to
the government for a work permit should he/she be unsponsored by an
employer for a particular position.
Work permits can be costly and are assessed based
on the value of skills. The field of teaching is an area of need and
many teachers enter on work permits. The employers are not likely to
readily contract with unnecessary foreigners as a work force as they
must post a bond ensuring that the expenses of removing the non-Bahamian
from the country are covered as well as any incidental damages the employee
might incur indebting himself to the government for items such as medical
care. The bond will need to be adequate to cover the employee's dependents
as well. There is good cause to mandate a bond. Should an expatriate
become seriously ill as a working resident he or she might become a
burden to the government and detour resources from the citizens who
are rightfully in need of such services. Therefore the employer should
be bound to provide sufficient medical insurance benefits. Should the
expatriate not have the moneys to move off of Commonwealth islands following
termination of either work permit or employment he or she might further
deplete the resources rightfully due the citizens.
Residency without the right to work may be gained
both annually and permanently with an adequate real estate investment.
An investment in real property is necessary to be considered for annual
residency and investments over $500,000.00 for permanent residency.
To obtain an annual residency card you must make
application to Immigrations, you will need to present evidence of financial
independence (hence you do not need to produce an income to survive
- mandatory); be prepared to submit signed letters from your local Bahamian
bank of your average amount of deposits on hand, you must present proof
of good and upstanding character. This can be presented in form of personal
recommendations from judges, politicians, government officials as well
as clergy and charity organization leaders who know you and can make
a positive declaration on your behalf. You will also need to submit
a police certificate evidencing that you have a clean criminal or arrest
record and are considered an upstanding citizen in your local community
(your local law enforcement department will understand the nature of
your request when you present it to them) You will need to submit two
passport photos with your application and a $25 fee for processing (non-refundable).
You will be interviewed and if meeting acceptance upon approval you
will need to pay $500 for annual residence, which can include your spouse
and dependents. You will not be granted residency under these circumstances
unless you are a homeowner or investor or spouse of a citizen.
Permanent Residency requires much of the same but
furthers the financial information required to speak for itself that
not now or in the foreseeable future would you require a position to
receive income to continue your residency here.
